Breast Revision FAQs

If you’re considering breast revision surgery, it’s normal to have a lot of questions before your procedure. Below, you’ll find answers to some of our patients’ most commonly asked questions so you can feel confident about your decision to update your breast augmentation or reconstruction results.

La Jolla Breast Institute

Search for:

Breast Revision FAQs

If you’re considering breast revision surgery, it’s normal to have a lot of questions before your procedure. Below, you’ll find answers to some of our patients’ most commonly asked questions so you can feel confident about your decision to update your breast augmentation or reconstruction results.

Breast Revision FAQs

Widely known as one of the best breast revision surgeons in the San Diego area, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Halls and his staff are committed to a patient-first approach toward your care from consultation through recovery. If you have any questions that are not addressed here, please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call (858) 458-0100 today to request a breast revision surgery consultation at La Jolla Breast Institute.

Am I a good candidate for breast revision?

The best candidates for breast revision surgery should be in good general physical and mental health and have realistic expectations about their results. While revision surgery can help make a positive change in the appearance of your breasts, improvement is the goal rather than perfection. In some cases, Dr. Halls may recommend additional procedures to help ensure the best results from your revision surgery.

Can I change my implant size or type with implant revision surgery?

Yes. One of the most common reasons for women to pursue breast augmentation or reconstruction revision is to make a change in the size, shape or type of implant chosen for their initial procedure. You can choose implants that are larger or smaller, or you can exchange saline implants for silicone (or vice versa). Dr. Halls will work closely with you to understand your goals for implant revision so he can suggest the options he feels would work best for you.

How can I tell if my implants need to be replaced?

Although breast implant manufacturers do have a recommended timeframe for implant use, there’s no “expiration date” for breast implants. Most surgeons feel that if your results still meet your expectations and show no signs of breast implant complications, there’s no need to perform revision surgery because it’s been a certain number of years since your first surgery.

If you do notice a sudden change in the size or shape of one breast, feel unusual firmness in one or both implants (possibly accompanied by pain) or your breasts look distorted or asymmetrical, then a revision may be in order. Implants that seem to have shifted to an abnormal position are another indicator that you could benefit from breast augmentation revision.

Will my capsular contracture come back again?

Dr. Halls uses the most advanced surgical techniques during your revision surgery in order to limit or prevent recurrence of capsular contracture. To this end, he may replace your breast implants entirely with new implants, perform a full removal of the scar tissue capsule rather than a capsule release or take extra precautions during surgery to mitigate the factors believed to contribute to excess scar tissue growth. Before your revision surgery, Dr. Halls will go into more detail about the possible causes of your capsular contracture, as well as the steps he’ll take during surgery to lower the chances for a reappearance.

Will I have more scars after breast augmentation revision surgery?

Whenever possible, Dr. Halls plans revision surgery incisions to follow in line with existing scars from your previous procedure in an effort to minimize the potential for additional scarring. He may also use breast scar reduction techniques to improve the appearance of current scars, if necessary. Dr. Halls will talk about incision placement with you before your surgery so you know exactly what to expect. Most women feel that concerns over scarring are offset by the benefits of their revision surgery after their final results are revealed.

Can I have my breast implants completely removed?

Some women prefer full explantation of implants rather than revision surgery or replacement. If you decide to remove your implants, Dr. Halls will reshape your natural breast tissue in a way that’s very similar to the steps he takes during a breast lift to ensure natural-looking final contours even without implants.

Will I need more than one procedure to see the best results?

For most women, Dr. Halls can remove and replace implants during a single procedure, or may reuse your existing implants, depending on the specifics of your surgery. In some cases, he may perform more than one procedure at the same time, but this should still mean just one surgery and one recovery period. However, while staged revision surgeries are not common, they may be recommended in some cases. Dr. Halls will talk more about the specifics of your procedure during your consultation.

What will my recovery be like?

Most women describe the recovery process following breast augmentation revision as very similar to their initial recovery after their first surgery, except shorter and with less discomfort. You can expect to wear a supportive garment or bandage, and see improvements right away even if they’re somewhat disguised by swelling at first. Your precise recovery time will vary depending on the extent of your surgery, but most women are able to return to work by 2 weeks after surgery.

How will my results look?

The final results of your implant revision surgery should be much closer to the look you originally envisioned for your initial breast augmentation or reconstruction. Your breasts should look flattering and symmetrical, with an absence of hardened scar tissue and an implant shape and size that meets your personal goals. The goal of every revision surgery is to enhance your existing breast appearance for noticeable improvement, and results you can feel confident about.